Deconstruction to Binary Oppositions of Postcolonialism Through the Characterizations of Black Maid and White Mistress in Stockett’S the Help

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DECONSTRUCTION TO BINARY OPPOSITIONS OF POSTCOLONIALISM THROUGH THE CHARACTERIZATIONS OF BLACK MAID AND WHITE MISTRESS IN STOCKETT’S THE HELP

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters

By INDIWARA PANDU WIDYANINGRUM Student Number: 144214130

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS UNIVERSITAS SANATA DHARMA YOGYAKARTA 2018 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

DECONSTRUCTION TO BINARY OPPOSITIONS OF POSTCOLONIALISM THROUGH THE CHARACTERIZATIONS OF BLACK MAID AND WHITE MISTRESS IN STOCKETT’S THE HELP

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters

By INDIWARA PANDU WIDYANINGRUM Student Number: 144214130

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS UNIVERSITAS SANATA DHARMA YOGYAKARTA 2018

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

When people are determined,

they can overcome everything.

-Nelson Mandela-

You are my strength when I am weak You are the treasure that I seek You are my all in all . . .

-Nicole Nordeman-

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For My Beloved Parents, I Present This for you .



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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to dedicate my deepest gratitude to God for His blessings, I can finish this research. However, only with His unconditional love I can still keep going on.

I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Dr. Gabriel Fajar Sasmita Aji,

M.Hum. for guiding and helping me to conduct this research. I am so grateful that he encourages me to give my best potential and be persistent during the process of making this research. I also would like to express my gratitude to co-advisor, A. B.

Sri Mulyani, M.A., Ph.D. for the revisions and suggestions that enrich my study.

In this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents and my families who never get tired to support me to finish this research. I thank them for trusting me when I doubt myself.

My deep gratitude and love also be with Rityasiwi Gitarasika, Ima Bunga,

Dea Yanudita and Fazlurahman Adi who have accompanied me through my ups and downs. I am so thankful because they keep reminding me that I am so much bigger than my fears. These 4 years in Sanata Dharma University have shaped me into the person I have become. I have gained lots of experiences and met with so many great people here. Therefore, for all the lecturers, friends and everyone who take parts in my growing process, I really thank each of you.

Indiwara Pandu Widyaningrum.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ...... ii APPROVAL PAGE ...... iii ACCEPTANCE PAGE ...... iv LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH ...... v STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY ...... vi MOTTO PAGE ...... vii DEDICATION PAGE ...... viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... ix TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... x ABSTRACT ...... xii ABSTRAK ...... xiii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ...... 1

A. Background of the Study ...... 1 B. Problem Formulation ...... 4 C. Objectives of the Study ...... 5 D. Definition of Terms ...... 5 CHAPETER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ...... 7

A. Review of Related Studies ...... 7 B. Review of Related Theories ...... 9 1. Theory of Character and Characterization ...... 9 2. Theory of Postcolonialism‘s Binary Opposition ...... 11 3. Theory of Deconstruction ...... 16 C. Theoretical Framework ...... 18 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ...... 19

A. Object of the Study ...... 19

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B. Approach of the Study ...... 20 C. Method of the Study ...... 21 CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS (RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS) ...... 23

A. Binary Oppositions Contructed through the Characterizations of Black Maid and White Mistress...... 23 B. Deconstruction to Binary Oppositions Constructed through the Characterizations of Black Maid and White Mistress ...... 40 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ...... 50

REFERENCES ...... 53

APPENDICES ...... 55

Appendix 1 ...... 55

Appendix 2 ...... 57

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ABSTRACT

WIDYANINGRUM, INDIWARA PANDU. (2018). Deconstruction to Binary Oppositions of Postcolonialism through the Characterizations of Black Maid and White Mistress in Stockett’s The Help. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Sanata Dharma. Postcolonialism deals with the resistance of European power by criticizing Western thought. As a result of Western superiority, binary oppositions are constructed. Based on the novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett, the researcher analyses binary oppositions reflected from the characterizations of Black maid Aibileen and White mistress Miss Leefolt. White people are often described as superior and civilized. Meanwhile, Black people are described as inferior and uncivilized. It turns out that, those assumptions do not reflect the qualities of Aibileen and Miss Leefolt. The first objective of the research is to analyse binary oppositions through the characterizations of the Black maid Aibileen and the White mistress Miss Leefolt. The second objective is to discover how qualities of each character break the constructed binary oppositions. In order to conduct this research, the researcher applies postcolonial approach and some steps are done in this study. The first step is to have a close reading to the novel. The second step, the researcher examines binary opposition through the characterizations of each character. The third step is to analyse how deconstruction responds to the binary oppositions identified in the novel. Lastly, the researcher draws a conclusion from all of the discussions. From the characterizations, Miss Leefolt is described as dominant, wealthy, polite, uncaring, rude and perfectionist. On the other side, Aibileen is described as oppressed, poor, lack of education, impolite, nasty and generous. The binary oppositions between Aibileen and Miss Leefolt are: 1) superior and inferior; 2) civilized and uncivilized; 3) normal and exotic. The researcher finds that, there is a general assumption where Black often attaches to negative values while White attaches to positive values. However, deconstruction perspective sees different things. Aibileen also has significant roles. She is also superior and civilized in comparison to Miss Leefolt. Besides that, qualities of person are determined by what comes from the inside and it is not based on their skin color. Therefore, binary oppositions given to each of the character do not reflect who they really are.

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ABSTRAK

Tujuan pertama dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis oposisi biner melalui karakterisasi pelayan berkulit hitam Aibileen dan nyonya berkulit putih Miss Leefolt. Tujuan kedua adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana kualitas setiap karakter merombak oposisi biner yang ada.

Untuk melakukan penelitian ini, penulis menggunakan pendekatan pascakolonialisme dan melakukan beberapa langkah. Langkah pertama adalah membaca novel secara mendalam. Langkah kedua, penulis meneliti oposisi biner melalui karakterisasi masing-masing karakter. Langkah ketiga, adalah penulis menganalisis bagaimana dekonstruksi merespon oposisi biner yang terdapat dalam novel. Terakhir, penulis menarik kesimpulan dari semua diskusi yang ada.

Berdasarkan karakterisasi, Nyonya Leefolt adalah seorang yang dominan, kaya, sopan, tidak peduli, kejam dan perfeksionis. Sementara itu, Aibileen adalah seorang yang tertindas, miskin, berpendidikan rendah, tidak sopan, kotor dan murah hati. Oposisi biner antara Aibileen dan Nyonya Leefolt adalah: 1) superior and inferior; 2) beradab dan biadab; 3) normal dan eksotis. Penulis menemukan bahwa, ada asumsi umum dimana kualitas seseorang ditentukan oleh warna kulit mereka. Faktanya, perspektif dekonstruksi melihat hal lain. Aibileen juga memiliki peran penting. Dia juga lebih unggul dan beradab dibandingkan dengan Nyonya Leefolt. Selain itu, kualitas seseorang ditentukan oleh apa yang berasal dari dalam dan bukan berdasarkan warna kulit mereka. Oleh karena itu, oposisi biner yang diberikan kepada masing-masing karakter tidak mencerminkan siapa mereka sebenarnya.

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

The Help published in 2009, tells about the life of Black women, Aibileen and

Minny, working as a maid to White families during The Civil Right Movement in the era of 1960‘s. At that time, Blacks live under the oppression and they cannot stand for their own right and freedom. Black women work for White families to take care of the house and also raise White children. It is displayed in the novel, in most of the times the mistresses treat their Black maids meanly just because they are dark- skinned and different from the White. As it is also stated by Afaf Al Saidi in his journal that as a result of postcolonialism, colonizer or Self is seen differently with colonized or Other. The Other by definition is attached to the unfamiliar, uncanny, unauthorized, inappropriate and improper (Saidi, 2014, p. 1). In this novel, public transportation, public facilities and even bathrooms are made separately between

Black and White. This segregation appears because White folk think they are a refine group of people who cannot get along with Blacks who are dirty and savage.

Furthermore, this novel tells the struggle of Black maids writing down their experience into a book about how it is to be Black and how it is to work for the

Whites.

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Postcolonialism deals with the resistance against European power by criticizing Western thought. As a result of colonialization, Western is always superior while the other is inferior. The idea of colonization refers to the act of conquering and ruling over a certain land and the colonizer is settling for some moment (Said, 1991, p. 20). At this point, the relation between colonizer and colonized cannot be separated one another during the process of colonization. The term of colonizer is mostly attached to European and Western countries which take over the land and occupy the country. Meanwhile, colonized is referred to developing countries such as Asia and

Africa. As the colonization keeps growing, some universalism values are constructed in the process of invasion. Even after the colonization era has ended those general values still stick with the society, in which those paradigms are believed to be true.

The general assumption says that Western is superior as they have more power and they are civilized. It is stated by Afaf Al Saidi in his journal, ―binary dichotomy between civilized/savage has perpetuated and legitimized Western power structures favouring ―civilized‖ white men.‖ (Saidi, 2014, p. 1) This structure appears because history shows most colonizers come from European and Western. On the other hand, Asian countries and Africa might be seen differently. As they are the oppressed ones, some people stereotype those countries as inferior and less civilized.

In addition, the relation between oppressed and the oppressor goes beyond than superior and inferior status but it also involves difference of skin color that leads into racial discrimination. It is taken from D. Crima and Fajar Sasmita in their journal

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Superiority of the Native Seen in the Tone of the Track to Bralgu by Bozic Wongar

(2014), as a result of Western superiority over the Other, Western colonialism gives birth to racial stereotyping and binary opposition to the ‗othering‘ and their construction as backward and inferior. Through this study, the researcher focuses on the phenomena of postcolonialism causing racial discrimination between Black and

White. The researcher derives that, in most of the cases Black and White are described differently. Image of Black and White portrays a contrast figure where most of the times Blacks are described worse rather that the Whites. This point has aroused the interest of researcher to study more about these phenomena. The relation between Black and White can be said as two faces of coin. When White people are usually described as noble, educated, superior and civilized, the other way around

Black people are seen as savage, uneducated, inferior and uncivilized. The comparison between Black and White has created binary oppositions in the society causing a racial discrimination between the two groups. Looking at the facts happened in society and history, the researcher finds similar things happened to The

Help by Kathryn Stockett.

By looking at the constructed binary opposition in the society, it is known that some stereotypes are attached to both Black and White people. White will be on the positive side because they are educated, civilized and superior. On the other side,

Black will be on the negative side because they are stupid, uncivilized and inferior.

As a result of this constructed binary opposition, there is a tendency for society to

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value people based on their skin color. In this study, the researcher aims to prove that actually skin color does not determine qualities of a person. It is not always White people are good and Black people are bad.

In sum, this study is beneficial to be conducted because the phenomena of binary oppositions as the product of discrimination still happen until now and it is applicable in the society nowadays. Differences such as cultural background, race, religion, gender and perspective have created some barriers in the society. Some stereotypes are attached to a certain group and because of the general assumptions in society, those stereotypes are believed to be true. Meanwhile, stereotypes given to a certain group do not define who they really are. Through this study, the researcher aims to encourage people not to have judgment and stereotype to others in order to create a peaceful way of life by accepting others as the way they are.

B. Problem Formulation

In order to examine binary opposition applied in Stockett‘s The Help, these following questions are formulated:

1. What are the binary oppositions constructed through the characterizations of the

Black maid Aibileen and the White mistress Miss Leefolt in Stockett‘s The Help?

2. How do the qualities of each character break the constructed binary oppositions in

Stockett‘s The Help?

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C. Objectives

Based on the problem formulation, this research aims to identify the relation between Black and White. Character of Aibileen the Black maid and Ms.Leefolt

White mistress are the main focus of this research. Both of the characters are chosen as they represent other Black maids and White mistresses. At the first part of this study, researcher identifies characteristics of Aibileen and Miss Leefolt. By identifying the character, it helps the researcher to find out binary oppositions given to Black maid and White mistress. Generally, the binary oppositions stick with Black and White are constructed from the paradigm of the society. Therefore in this study, the researcher attempts to break the constructed image between Black and White by using deconstruction perspective.

D. Definition of Terms

In this part, the researcher provides the explanation on the related terms of the study. In order to give a better understanding for the readers, terms of deconstruction, binary opposition and postcolonialism are clarified.

1. Deconstruction

It is stated by Johnson that deconstruction has closely related to the original meaning of the word ‗analysis‘ which etymologically refers to undo (Johnson, 1985, p. 5). In deconstruction, it reconstructs the new concept from the usual one. It can be said that deconstruction tries to see beyond the general assumption by seeing the implied

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meaning of the text. By using theory of deconstruction, it helps the researcher to

break the image based on the general assumptions given to both Black and White.

2. Binary Opposition

According to Post Colonial Studies the Key Concepts Second Edition, binary means a

combination of two things, a pair, ‗two‘ that is related one to another (Ashcroft et al,

2007, p 18). In short, term of binary opposition can be defined as the relation among

one subject to the other one in the opposite way. One term of binary opposition is

always dominant, one can become as the centre and the other is marginal. In

imperialism perspective, binary opposition is a development of Western thought to

see the world that establishes relation of dominance. Although in binary opposition

the two elements stand in the opposite way, the relation of one element to another

cannot be separated.

3. Postcolonialism

Based on Post Colonial Studies the Key Concepts Second Edition, postcolonialism

deals with the resistance of European power by criticizing Western thought. It relates

to European territorial conquest including historical oppression, economic control and

power relation by European to the colonized country (Ashcroft et al, 2007, p 16).

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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This chapter consists of three parts which are review of related studies, related theories and theoretical framework. Through this chapter, the researcher has brief review about previous study related to topic of the novel. Furthermore, review of literature helps the researcher in order to find more data about theories and related studies to support analysis of the topic later.

A. Review of Related Studies

In this part, the researcher provides some previous studies about related object of the study. Review of related studies is taken from journal and undergraduate thesis

Sanata Dharma University. In order to have better understanding about related studies, researcher sums up the differences and similarities between the previous study and this study.

The first related study is conducted by Regina Novelisa Gusmanthi in her undergraduate thesis English Language Study Program Sanata Dharma University entitled The Meanings of Racism Issues Faced by the Three Main Characters of

Kathryn Stockett’s The Help (2017). In her thesis, the researcher discusses the meanings of racism that become crucial issues happened in Jackson City, Mississippi early 1960‘s. In order to examine the meanings of racism in the novel, the researcher

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analyses it through the characteristics of Aibileen Clark, Minny Jackson and Skeeter

Phelan. In sum, the study obtains two main things. Firstly, the description characteristic of Aibileen is an introvert, mature and generous; Minny is an extrovert, bold, and caring person; Skeeter is an introvert, passionate, and open minded person.

Then, the second finding is about the meaning of racism issues identified in the novel.

The researcher states that racism is just a paradigm created by people in the society.

The similarities between the two studies occur in the same object which is novel The

Help by Kathryn Stockett. Both of two studies observe the intrinsic elements of the novel throughout characterizations in the novel. Despite of all the similarities, there are some differences between the previous study and this study. The previous study focuses on the meaning of racism issues in the novel by using psychological approach. Meanwhile, this study focuses on the binary oppositions identified in the novel and then the researcher attempts to break constructed binary opposition by using postcolonial approach. Moreover, the two researchers examine different characters in the novel. The previous research observes Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter.

Meanwhile, in this study the researcher focuses on Aibileen and Miss Leefolt as the representation of other Black maids and White mistresses.

The following related research is taken from the udergraduate thesis by

Radiaska Karistantya Putra (2016) entitled A Deconstruction on Binary Opposition of the Male and Female Characters in Susan Glaspell’s Trifles. In his study, the researcher examines the characteristics of male and female characters, the evidence

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about existence of binary opposition in the characteristics of the male and female characters and the last is about binary opposition in the characteristics of male and female characters related to gender stereotype by using the deconstruction perspective. In the previous research, Radiaska finds that the superiority appears because the characteristics of female characters let the superiority in the text happens.

In his research, Radiaska examines binary opposition of male and female by using gender approach. Meanwhile, this research discusses binary opposition between

Black and White by using postcolonial approach. Moreover, the similarity in both of the studies appears on how the researchers want to prove the idea of deconstruction to constructed binary oppositions.

B. Review of Related Theories

1. Theory of Character and Characterization

In the literary works, characters have the significance points as it is stated by Abrams and Harpham:

Characters are the persons represented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as possessing particular moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities by inferences from what the persons say and their distinctive ways of saying it—the dialogue—and from what they do—the action. (Abrams & Harpham, 2009, p.42)

Characters represented in the literary works will give the image not only about the physical appearance but also the inner aspects about how the characters react to the society and others. Besides the characters, characterization also becomes one significant point to analyse the qualities of characters in the novel. By using theory

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from Murphy‘s Understanding Unseen: An Introduction of English Poetry and the

English Novel for Overseas Students (Murphy, 1972, pp.161-173), there are 9 ways to know the characteristics of a character: a. Personal description

The author describes character from appearance in details such as the face, skin, eyes and clothes. Description of a person helps the readers to imagine the picture of character described by the author. b. Characters as seen by another

The author describes a character through the eyes and opinions from another.

At this point, personalities of character are reflected in other characters‘ eyes, opinions and comments. c. Speech

To make characters understandable for readers, the author describes character by the way character speaks and gives opinion to others. d. Past Life

Character‘s past life gives the readers clue about what kind of person he or she is. Past life shapes a person‘s character; it can be described by direct comment, person‘s thought or conversation with other characters. e. Conversation of Others

The author gives clue about character through conversation of others and how other people say things about that character.

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f. Reactions

Character of person can be identified by the way a person reacts to various situations and events around them. g. Direct comments

Direct comment by the author helps readers to know a person‘s character.

From direct comment, the readers have a picture about what sort of person the character is. h. Thoughts

Thoughts gives readers‘ direct knowledge about what the character thinks about as if readers are a secret listener into the inmost thoughts of a person in a novel. i. Mannerism

Personalities of character can be described through their manner. There is always something about the character behind their habit.

2. Theory of Postcolonialism’s Binary Opposition

Theory of postcolonialism concerns about the relation between colonized and colonizer which in most of the time the colonizer takes control of the colonized.

Postcolonialism represents the refusal of singular form authority done by the Empire.

In which, the authority power from the Western brings a so called ‗from below position‘ or it can be related to the weakness. To make it clearer, these three points according to Elleke Boehmer, will give more information what actually the postcolonial approach do. Firstly, Postcolonialism shapes the anti-colonial and non

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Western liberation. It fights back the oppression as consequence of Western authority.

Secondly, postcolonialism questions and deconstructs the general assumption of the

First World referring to the West. Thirdly, postcolonialism concerns about the form giving concepts derived from the postcolonial literature since 1950s. (Waugh, 2006, pp. 342-343)

In postcolonial perspective, the relation between First World and the Third

World cannot be separated. The First World (developed countries such as Western

European) is seen as dominant. Meanwhile, The Third World or the developing countries is defined as the oppressed. Ashcroft, Griffiths and Triffin (2002) state in the Empire Writes Back, that the colonization under the Empire forms a singular ideology. It can be argued that during the process of colonization, some values are constructed. The First World or Western is attached to positive things such as civilization and humanity. Whereas, the Third World is referred the opposite way related to savagery, native and primitive (Ashcroft et al, 2002, p. 3).

In this study, the researcher uses Edward Said theory called Orientalism as the core of the theory is to examine how the life of West and Other creates the binary opposition. In his book entitled Orientalism, Said states that Orientalism is a kind of

Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient

(Said, 1991, p. 20). It can be said that in Orientalism point of view, Western has the authority to settle, teach and rule over the Orient. Barry states that Said identifies a

European cultural tradition of ‗Orientalism‘ which is a particular and long-standing

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way of identifying the East as ‗Other‘ and inferior to the West. (Barry, 2009, p. 186).

Europe is always in a position of strength as the Western has more power rather than the others, apparently Western has the intention to control and manipulate the others.

For this reason, Oriental is contained and represented by dominating group. Western becomes ‗the very basis‘ of the Orient civilization. Since the Orient cannot represent and express themselves, therefore it is the Western job to represent the others. It needs to be understood that actually the representation is not natural and it is not the truth of the Orient. Meanwhile, it is the representation relies upon the tradition and convention given from the West.

In this study, theory of postcolonialism cannot be separated from binary opposition that becomes the main object of research. According to Post Colonial

Studies the Key Concepts Second edition (2007), binary means a combination of two things, a pair, ‗two‘ that is related one to another. In short, term of binary opposition can be defined as the relation among one subject to the other one in the opposite way.

In imperialism perspective, binary opposition is a development of Western thought to see the world that establishes relation of dominance (Ashcroft et al, 2007, p 18).

Poststructuralism says that text can have more than one centre. If there is a centre, there must be a marginal. Between centre and marginal, it has been generalized that centre is more important rather than the marginal. If that so, centre and marginal automatically create a hierarchical status which forms the binary oppositions. One of these terms always functions as the centre. It is privileged, in

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poststructuralist terms. Some terms have always been privileged-good, truth, masculinity, purity, whiteness-others may be found either in the centre on the margin.

It can be argued that from one term and another, binary opposition has a relation. For example, the binary opposition in ‗light‘ vs ‗darkness‘. Obviously, light needs darkness and it also happens in the other way. Without darkness, it will be hard to be aware of the light itself. Therefore by the concept of darkness, it helps to recognize the term ‗light‘. By understanding the set of binary opposition ‗light‘ vs ‗darkness‘, then it comes up to the point that the inferior terms (in this case is darkness) turn out to be as important as the privileged or the centre ones because its existence defines the other one as well. Binary oppositions define the opposite meaning but both of the subjects cannot be separated each other and it defines one another (Bertens, 2001, pp.

128-130).

In the scope of Orientalism, stereotype is created among the differences of the

2 different groups. Edward Said in his book Orientalism, describes The Oriental as irrational, depraved (fallen), childlike, ―different‖; thus the European is rational, virtuous, mature, ―normal‖. Oriental mostly has the image of cunning, evil and a liar.

Everything about Oriental opposes the clarity, directness and nobility of Europeans

(1991, pp. 50-51). Moreover, the following table taken from Rob Pope in The English

Studies Book: An Introduction to Language, Literature and Culture explains more what are the differences between Black and White (2005, pp. 149-150).

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From the table above, some muted mind-sets and cultural frames are provided italicised in brackets. Terms in the bracket becomes the alternative views which are seen from different perspective.

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3. Theory of Deconstruction

The view of deconstruction is applied in this research to deconstruct the idea of binary opposition constructed in the novel. The binary opposition is clearly identified between how the image of Black and White is portrayed through the characterization. Therefore, deconstruction tries to see how the binary oppositions which are marked to Black and White do not really define them.

Deconstruction is not synonymous with 'destruction'. It is in fact much closer to the original meaning of the word 'analysis', which etymologically means 'to undo'.

(Johnson, 1985, p. 5) Derrida‘s explanation in Literary Theory and Criticism an

Oxford Guide adds that the term of deconstruction means to reconstruct the new concept from the usual one. It is not about removing the general idea that has been existed but deconstruction will do something different from the basic assumptions.

Meaning to say, deconstruction shapes a new way and a new form of the tradition.

(Waugh, 2006, p. 304)

In A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature 5th Edition, Guerin,

Labor, and Morgan argue that deconstruction has a close relation with

Poststructuralism. If structuralism focuses on the finding in order and meaning, deconstruction concerns more about the disorder in the text and it denies any final statement of meaning in the text. In other words, deconstruction can be seen as a reaction against the certainties in structuralism perspective. Based on the view of

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deconstruction, the text is described to have more than one ultimate meaning. The meaning of the text is in a state of change. Hence, Derrida with his idea of deconstruction tries to reveal the hidden meaning inside the text by questioning the presence of any objective structure or content in the text (Guerin et al, 2005, p. 377)

According to Derrida, deconstruction is a critical questioning upon the general assumptions as it tries to see beyond the constructed concept, assumptions and thought.

So one side of deconstruction is this critical questioning of philosophical assumptions, which are also the assumptions which underlie the way we think, all the time. As Derrida commented in interview in 1968, ―everyday language‖ is not innocent or neutral. It is the language of Western metaphysics. (Waugh, 2006, p. 300) Deconstruction perspective offers a question about the Western thought. Different from structuralist who centres on the Western power, deconstruction as poststructuralist criticizes the superiority of Western.

In literary studies, deconstruction is used in order to see the implication of the text. In other words, deconstruction focuses on the singularity, in which it is about what makes things unique (Waugh, 2006, pp. 289-301). To have the first step of using deconstruction, clarifying the metaphysics or general concept is the best starting point. Deconstruction sees the world in terms of a dynamic process of differentiation rather than seeing the world in terms of specific fixed and concrete entities. In deconstruction perspective, there is no single and definite in meaning.

Derrida argues that deconstruction notices the possibilities of something else.

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b. Theoretical Framework

In order to answer the problem formulation, some reviews and theories about the related questions are needed. The first theory is about the character and characterization. By using this theory, it helps the researcher to identify what are the characteristics of the Black maid and White mistress. Theory of character and characterization provides the findings about how the author describes Black and

White in the story. Secondly, the researcher uses theory of postcolonial and binary oppositions as the object related to the postcolonial issue. By providing the theory of postcolonial, it supports the explanation about the constructed stereotype between

European and non-European countries. In detail, this study provides the theory of

Orientalism by Edward Said. Throughout the scope of Orientalism, the theory explains more about Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient. Orientalism gives the explanation that Others have no ability to express themselves. Therefore, it is the Western who represents their identity. In theory of postcolonial, binary oppositions are used to find out constructed binary opposition between the characters of Black maid and White mistress. The last theory that is used by the researcher is theory of deconstruction. By using the theory of deconstruction, it helps the researcher to see the singularity and implied meaning behind the text and it also against the general assumption related to the basic knowledge of the Western thought.

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CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A. Object of The Study

The object of the study is taken from novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Published in 2009, this novel has become one of the best-selling books that leads the book into movie adaptation in 2011. The Help tells about a life of Black maids who work for the White mistress in 1962 Jackson, Mississipi. Aibileen is always taken orders quietly to White mistress Ms.Leefolt, but lately she is unable to hold her bitterness back. The same thing also happens to Minny, she cannot hold back the disappointment and anger as she is accused to steal the silver from her White mistress

Ms.Hilly. The turning point shows up when Ms.Skeeter, a White lady offers them a project to change a thing by writing a book. Ms.Skeeter is a White folk but she does not treat the Black maids differently. When she was a kid she was raised by a loving

Black woman. Now, she realizes that Black woman is not as bad as what the White society sees Black. At that time, most of the White folk assume that Black people are dirty, savage and they have no civilization. By doing a book writing project,

Ms.Skeeter wants to lift up the truth about the experiences of Black women working as maids for white families. The story tells about the line between Black and White where mostly Blacks are treated differently just because they are dark-skinned color.

Moreover, the novel portrays the stereotype of superior, educated and civilized of

Whites towards the inferior, uneducated and uncivilized of Blacks. This novel

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contains of 34 chapters which is narrated in 3 perspectives of Aibileen, Minny and

Skeeter.

The main focus in this study is about the binary oppositions identified in the novel and how the perspective of deconstruction gives the new image to Blacks and

Whites by contrasting the idea of binary opposition that has been culturally stereotyped. In order to find a proof of the binary opposition, the researcher examines only 2 types of the characters which are Aibileen, the Black maid and Miss Leefolt, the White mistress. It happens for a reason that these two characters have the significant roles in the novel and they represent a lot how the Black maid and White mistress are living at that time.

B. Approach of The Study

In order to analyse and see the text beyond what it is said, an approach is needed to see the literary works very closely. In this study, the researcher applies postcolonial approach to examine the novel. This approach is chosen because postcolonial deals with the relation between the colonizer and the colonized.

Moreover, it is closely related to the dominated and dominating societies. As it is seen in the novel, Black people live under the oppression and White people dominate them because Whites have more authority rather than Blacks. Besides that, postcolonial approach is considered as the best approach to analyse this study since postcolonial approach provides the resistance against European power by criticizing

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the Western thought. Besides that, the researcher also includes deconstruction perspective to support postcolonial approach in order to criticize constructed general assumptions in the novel.

C. Method of The Study

The method that was used in order to complete this research was library research. In library research the researcher collected the data and information from the books and from other studies or theories related to the topic of the study. Some researches on media electronic also had been conducted by the researcher in order to support the analysis. The provided data in the study was divided into two, they were primary data and secondary data. The primary data was taken from the novel The

Help by Kathryn Stockett and the secondary data was taken from several sources from characterization theory, postcolonial theory, binary opposition and deconstruction perspective.

In order to conduct this study, some steps were done by the researcher. The first step, the researcher did a close reading to the novel that was used as the object of the study. The second step, the researcher examined the characterization described in the novel then identified the binary opposition between Black maid and White mistress. Binary oppositions identified in the novel were classified based on qualities of each character throughout characterization. The following step was having the analysis how deconstruction perspective responded to the binary opposition identified

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in the novel. In this part, the researcher tried to find out general assumptions in text and then the researcher provided the other assumption that deconstructed general assumption. At last, the researcher drew a conclusion from all of the discussion and summing up the result of study.

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CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS

The analysis in this research is divided into two parts. Part one discusses the binary oppositions identified in the novel which are identified throughout characterizations of each character. Then, the second part is the view of deconstruction towards the constructed binary opposition related to Black and White.

A. Binary Oppositions Constructed through the Characterizations of Black

Maid and White Mistress

In this part, the researcher examines binary oppositions identified in the novel that are reflected throughout characterization by author. Therefore, the first step to find out binary oppositions is by knowing the qualities of each character identified by the author. In order to know characteristics of character, the researcher uses theory from Murphy‘s Understanding Unseen: An Introduction of English Poetry and the

English Novel for Overseas Students (1972). Personal description, character as seen by another, speech, conversation of other reactions, direct comment and thought are the most common ways that the author tries to describe. After finding out qualities of character, the researcher tries to analyse the binary opposition reflected through the characteristic and personalities from each character. Binary opposition refers to a combination of two things, a pair ‗two‘ or duality which is opposing one to another.

One term of opposition is always dominant and the other is marginalized. In binary

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opposition, a pair consists of two different elements which is opposed one another.

Therefore, the researcher tries to highlight differences between two opposite characters. At this point, the researcher examines binary opposition identified in the novel between White mistress Miss Leefolt and Black maid Aibileen.

1. Characteristics of Black Maid and White Mistress a. Aibileen, the Black Maid i. Oppressed

In the first chapter of the novel, Aibileen is described as maid. Her job is to take care the white babies and do things related to households. She knows a lot how to take care of the White children, much better rather than their biological mother. In most of the times, Aibileen is portrayed as inferior character. She always follows what her mistress said. Even when Ms.Leefolt hurts Aibileen‘s feeling she tends to hold back her emotion. Aibileen‘s thought shows that actually she has more things to say and she has more things to express. Unfortunately, she cannot express it all because of the domination of her mistress that makes Aibileen limits what she wants to do and say.

—I‘m so mad at Miss Leefolt. I‘m biting my tongue. If the fool would just pay her child some attention, this wouldn‘t happen!— She still kinda fussy from this morning. I reckon I am to, but I done pushed it down to a place where I don‘t have to worry about it. (Stockett, 2009, pp. 25,26)

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It can be seen through Aibileen‘s thought that although Aibileen is mad at her mistress, she does not express it and she just holds back her emotion. In the novel,

Aibileen is portrayed as someone who cannot express her emotion because of the condition where mistress dominates maid. This hierarchical status between mistress and maid makes maid must obey the mistress.

In different part of the novel, there is a time when Ms.Leefolt builds a new colored bathroom for Aibileen because there is no separated colored bathroom in her house. Right after the bathroom has done, Ms.Leefolt wants Aibileen to use only colored bathroom which is located outside the house.

―Mister Leefolt, and I have decided to build you your very own bathroom. It‘s right out there in the garage. So, from now on instead of using the guest bathroom, you can use your own right out there. Won‘t that be nice?‖— I say what I know she want to hear ―I use my colored bathroom.‖ I put the iron down real slow, feel that bitter seed grow in my chest. (Stockett, 2009, p. 40) From the conversation between Miss Leefolt and Aibileen, it shows that Miss Leefolt wants Aibileen not to use guest bathroom anymore and she wants Aibileen to follow what she wants. In this part, Miss Leefolt insists her maid to follow her order.

Aibileen feels bitter for that but she keeps her feeling inside and she responds her mistress as nice as what Miss Leefolt would like her to do so. ii. Poor

Taking around the Civil Right Movement, at that time most of Black people work as a slave in cotton plantation. Besides that, Black women usually work for

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White families as maid. They do not only take care of the children but also do household stuffs such as cooking, serving and cleaning the house. In the novel it is said that actually being a maid does not really give Aibileen enough of money to fulfil her needs.

I get paid forty-three dollars ever Friday, which come to $172 a month. That means after I pay the light bill, the water bill, the gas bill, and the telephone bill, I got thirteen dollars and fifty cents a week left for my groceries, my clothes, getting my hair done and tithing to the church.—Thank the Lord for Ida Peek, else I be eating nothing.(Stockett, 2009, p. 22) From the quotation above, it shows us that Aibileen lacks of money. Aibileen‘s salary might cover tuition for living and food but it is not more to give her better way of living. iii. Lack of Education

Based on the novel, Aibileen does not have enough education. She works as a maid since young and it makes her cannot pursue her study. Even from generation to generation, Aibileen and her family could not change a thing to become other than maid or slave.

―Did you know when you were a girl, growing up, that one day you‘d be a maid?‖ ―Yes ma‘am. Yes I did.—Mama was a maid. My granmama was a house slave.‖ Did you. . . ever dreams of being something else?‖ ―No. No mama I didn‘t.‖ (Stockett, 2009, p. 196) From the quotation above, it shows that Aibileen does not have other choices to be other than a maid. It happens for a long time that she and her family work for White

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families. Since junior high school, Aibileen cannot go to school anymore for helping her mother to earn money.

When I tell my seventh-grade teacher I ain‘t coming back to school cause I got to help out my mama. (Stockett, 2009, p. 30) It shows in Aibileen‘s speech that actually she cannot finish her study in order to help her mother looking for money. After that, Aibileen starts to work as a maid just like her mother. It can be said that during her life, Aibileen does not get enough education. She studies only until in her seventh junior high school and right after that she has to work. The same thing mostly also happens to the other Black women. They have no enough chances to pursue their study because they need to work and earn money. As a result, Black people tend to have lack of education degree in their life. iv. Impolite

Black people are culturally marked as impolite. They have less civilization and they are far from refinement. The same things also happen to Aibileen. Miss Leefolt, her mistress, sees her as someone improper.

I look over and see Miss Leefolt‘s eyes done wandered down to my bare legs. I think she curious, you know. I bet she ain‘t never seen bare legs up close before.—―And I can‘t have you serving us like that, with your—your legs showing!‖ (Stockett, 2009, p. 536) This happens when the heat is hotter than usual, so that Aibileen takes off her stocking. After seeing Aibileen‘s bare legs, Miss Leefolt sees her as if she disgusts towards what she has seen. Moreover, she cannot let Aibileen showing her legs open

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when serving because for Miss Leefolt, it is inappropriate. Besides that, Miss Leefolt sees her maid as someone dirty and awful. She has an assumption where Black has a kind of diseases that White should be careful.

I finish the silver set and the towels and tell Miss Leefolt I got to go home even though it‘s half a hour early and she gone short my pay. She open her mouth like she want to protest and I whisper my lie, I vomited, and she say Go. Cause besides her own mother, there ain‘t nothing Miss Leefolt scared of more than Negro diseases. (Stockett, 2009, p. 135) At this point, Miss Leefolt worries if Aibileen vomited she might be caught Negro disease. Therefore, she allows her maid to go home early rather than let her stay in the house while she is sick and vomited.

Another part of the novel also shows that besides impolite, Aibileen is seen as a thief.

―Aibileen,‖ Miss Hily says and lick her lips. ―When you returned my silver yesterday, there were there pieces missing out of that felt wrapper. One silver fork and two silver spoons.‖ (Stockett, 2009, p. 604) The quotation above shows that Aibileen is accused as stealing silver from Miss

Hilly, a friend of Miss Leefolt. From the White‘s perspective, Black people has less manner and it is common for Black to do bad things. v. Nasty

The other part of the novel also shows that colored people are seen as bad and dirty. When Mae Moble paints herself black, her teacher tells Mae Mobley that Black

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means dirty and bad face. Based on what other characters see about Black, White people assume that Black people attach to the negative things.

―I colored myself black,‖ she cried— ―Miss Taylor said to draw what we like about ourselves best. —She said black means I got a dirty, bad face.‖ She plant her face in her pillow and cried something awful (Stockett, 2009, p. 562). In addition, there are some parts in the novel referring that Ms.Leefolt often tells her maid that she is black and different. Therefore, there should be different treatments by building different bathroom for colored maid in her house.

―I did not raise you to use the colored bathroom!‖—―This is dirty out here, Mae Mobley. You‘ll catch diseases! No,no no!‖ – I want to yell so loud that Baby Girl can hear me that dirty ain‘t a color, disease ain‘t the Negro side a town. (Stockett, The Help, 2009, pp. 130-131) From Miss Leefolt‘s perspective, she thinks that Aibileen and other Black people carry a certain disease. Group of White people believe the same opinion that Black refers to dirty, bad, and diseased. Therefore, White people should stay away from them. vi. Generous

Aibileen is a generous person. She cares for others and she is also warm- hearted woman. She treats Mae Mobley with love and affection even when Mae

Mobley is not her biological mother, Aibileen sees Mae Mobley just like her child.

―I don‘t feel good. My froat hurts, Aibee.‖ I know what a foat is and I know how to fix it. Baby Girl getting a summer cold.—Ever afternoon, me and

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Baby Girl set in the rocking chair before her nap. Ever afternoon, I tell her: You kind, you smart, you important.” (Stockett, The Help, 2009, p. 274) Based on what Aibileen says to Mae Mobley, it shows that Aibileen loves Mae

Mobley so much. She takes care of her and raises her with positive words. Moreover,

Aibileen likes to write down her prayer for the others who need it. She is compassionate for showing her love through prayer and positive words to the others especially children.

I got my prayer book out so I can write some things down. I concetrate on Mae Mobley,— Show me how to teach Baby Girl to be kind, to love herself; to love others, while I got time with her. . .(Stockett, 2009, p. 265) Aibileen‘s prayer for Mae Mobley shows how much she loves the Baby Girl. She wants Mae Mobley to have good values in her life. Moreover, Aibileen is generous because she does not only care about herself but also for the others. Aibileen prays not for herself but she asks something good happens to Mae Mobley. b. Ms.Leefolt, the White Mistress i. Dominant

In most of the times, as a mistress Miss Leefolt always tells order and things what her maid should do without asking or concerning Aibileen‘s feeling. There is a time when Ms.Leefolt builds a new colored bathroom for Aibileen because there is no separated colored bathroom in her house. Right after the bathroom has done,

Ms.Leefolt wants Aibileen to use only colored bathroom which is located outside the house.

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Aibileen feels bitter for that but she keeps her feeling inside and she responds her mistress as nice as what Miss Leefolt would like her to do so.

Another part of the novel also shows that from Miss Leefolt‘s manner, she tends to tell Aibileen what she has to do related with the house stuffs. Aibileen works all about cooking, taking care the baby and cleaning the house. Everything is taken care and managed by Aibileen, meanwhile all that Miss Leefolt does is telling an order.

A course I already got everything ready to go—made the chicken salad this morning, ironed the table –cloths yesterday. Miss Leefolt seen me at it too. She ain‘t but twenty-three years old and she like hearing herself tell me what to do. (Stockett, 2009, p. 4) It can be seen from the quotation that Miss Leefolt is superior because all she needs to do is only telling Aibileen to finish all the stuffs without making herself doing things that she supposed to do. The position of being a mistress makes her to have more authority and power to give order to the lower people who have no authority like her.

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ii. Wealthy

Miss Leefolt as the figure of White mistress sees herself and her folk as a noble group of people. White people have high social status so that they need to be respected. As it represents in the novel, Miss Leefolt joins in The Bridge Club where most of the women in the same group try to impress one another by showing how nice their live is.

I arrange the-this and the-that for her lady friends. Set out the good crystal, put the silver service out—. Ms.Leefolt she like it fancy when she do a luncheon. (Stockett, 2009, p. 4) From the quotation above, it can be seen that Miss Leefolt likes fancy things. It also

happens to most of the White folk that usually White women live as fancy as they

can because prestige is important in the society.

See, Miss Leefolt, she dress up nice ever day. Always got her makeup on, got a carport, double-door Frigidaire with the built-in icebox. You see her in the Jitney 14 grocery; you never think she go and leave her baby crying in her crib like that. But the help always know. (Stockett, 2009, p. 6) Based on the quotation above, Aibileen‘s perspective towards Miss Leefolt is portrayed as a mistress who comes from a refine folk. She dressed well and her appearance is neat. People might think Miss Leefolt as someone nice but despite of the good things, Aibileen knows that her mistress can be also ignorant to her own child.

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iii. Polite

The other part of the novel shows that White people should behave in a good manner. As what happens to Miss Leefolt daughter, Mae Mobley, she is taught to respect the elderly by saying Yes Ma’am.

―Mae Mobley, did you like that smocked dress I sent over last week?‖ ―Yeah,‖ Baby Girl saying to her granmama.—―You say yes ma’am. young lady. Do you hear me?‖ Mae Mobley, she get a dull face, say, ―Yes ma‘am.‖ (Stockett, 2009, p. 273) By looking at the passage above, it shows that from generation to generation, White people want others to be respectful to them. They thought their kids also to behave well to others in order to represent good and noble qualities. In that part, Miss

Frederick taught Aibileen to be careful on what she says, she wants her granddaughter to respond her questions politely. iv. Uncaring

Almost in most of the times, Miss Leefolt is arrogant as she is found to be more self centered over everything. As a mother, Miss Leefolt barely pays attention to Mae Mobley when her daughter needs some affection.

Baby Girl hold her arms out for her mama to pick her up, but Miss Leefolt open a cabinet, act like she don‘t see. (Stockett, 2009, p. 15) From Miss Leefolt‘s reaction, it can be seen that she is uncaring for taking care her baby. Miss Leefolt knows that Mae Mobley seeks for her attention but she acts like she does not know it. Another part shows that Miss Leefolt does not really pay attention to Mae Mobley.

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Ms.Leefolt setting at the kitchen table in her blue quilt bathrobe talking on the telephone. Baby Girls‘s got red sticky all over her face, hanging on to her mama‘s knees trying to look at her.—―Mama! Mama!‖ she say trying to crawl up in Miss Leefolt‘s lap. ―No, Mae Mobley.‖ Miss Leefolt nudge her down. ―Mama‘s on the telephone. Let Mama talk.‖ (Stockett, 2009, p. 21) Based on the reaction of Miss Leefolt, it shows that she concerns more about herself instead of her daughter. When Mae Mobley wants to talk with her mother and she seeks for some attention, Miss Leefolt prefers to talk with her friends on phone. v. Rude

From the way Miss Leefolt takes care of Mae Mobley, she often becomes rude if something happens out of her wish. When Miss Leefolt reacts to a certain unpleasant situation, she can be harsh.

She keep craning her neck around, whinning, ―Mama, Mama,” trying to get her attention.— She run straight to her mama and stick out her chin and jerk the phone cord as hard she can.—Miss Leefolt slap Baby Girl on the back a her bare legs so hard. (Stockett, 2009, pp. 24-25) The quotation above shows that Miss Leefolt treats her daughter meanly just because

Mae Mobley interrupts her mother when she is on the phone. At that time, Miss

Leefolt gets mad at Mae Mobley and then she spanks Mae Mobley because her daughter annoys Miss Leefolt. It can be seen that, when Miss Leefolt gets angry sometimes she can be abusive to her own daughter. Apparently, it happens not only once but in several times.

―This is not your bathroom.‖ Baby Girl wagging her head.―My bafroom!” Miss Leefolt snatch her up, give her a pop on the leg. (Stockett, 2009, p. 130)

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It shows from the quotation that, Miss Leefolt is mad at Mae Mobley when she uses colored bathroom instead of the usual bathroom. At that time, Miss Leefolt warns

Mae Mobley not to use colored bathroom but Mae Mobley refuses to use bathroom for the White people in that house. It happens because at the very first time, Aibileen teaches Mae Mobley about how to go to the toilet. As she cannot use bathroom for

White, therefore Aibileen gives an example in colored bathroom. After looking at

Mae Mobley‘s response, Miss Leefolt cannot hold her anger and she spanks her daughter‘s legs for not obeying what she says. vi. Perfectionist

It is depicted in the novel, that Miss Leefolt is a perfectionist woman. She does not want someone acknowledges her flaws. Therefore, she tries her best to give perfect impression to the others.

Miss Leefolt don‘t put up no dinky card table like the other ladies do. We set at the dining room table. Put a cloth on top to cover the big L-shaped crack, move that red flower centerpiece to the sideboard to hide where the wood all scratched. (Stockett, The Help, 2009, p. 4) Based on Aibileen‘s perspective about Miss Leefolt, she has a tendency to give her best impression to the others. When she becomes the host of White women‘s meeting called Bridge Club, she tries to serve them as perfect as she can. She will cover things which are inappropriate for her.

The other part of the novel also shows that Miss Leefolt has a high pride when it comes to socializing with other white women. Miss Leefolt asks Aibileen not to use

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old towels when Miss Hilly invites Miss Leefolt and her daughter to go to the pool together.

―Don‘t we have more towels, Aibileen? This one‘s fine, but we can‘t take this old ratty thing, I‘d embarrassed to death. I guess we‘ll just take the one then.‖ (Stockett, 2009, p. 275) According to direct comment from Miss Leefolt, it shows that Miss Leefolt has a pride. She wants to be appeared and seen nicely. Therefore, she keeps her best image in front of others people. Even when it is about small thing such as towel, Miss

Leefolt really pays attention to that. Apparently, Miss Leefolt becomes so perfectionist because she does not want to be embarrassed in front of her friends.

2. Binary Oppositions Constructed through the Characterizations of Black Maid and White Mistress a. Superior and Inferior

Between Aibileen and Miss Leefolt, they both have different roles, Aibileen is a maid and Miss Leefolt is her mistress. Based on what usually happened in the society, binary opposition has been clearly identified from the relation of position between maid and mistress. The difference of position between mistress and maid creates binary opposition of superior and inferior. In Orientalism, there is a general assumption based on the Western thought which states that The First World or

Europeans have a right to dominate and control the Other as they found themselves superior. Based on that theory, Europeans or White people tend to be dominant or

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superior because they teach, settle and rule over the Orient. The same thing also happens between Aibileen and Miss Leefolt. As a mistress, Miss Leefolt always gives orders to Aibileen to take care all about the house stuffs. It is shown in the previous part of characterizations; Aibileen is oppressed because she must obey what Miss

Leefolt says even when she does not agree to what she says. When Miss Leefolt builds new bathroom for Aibileen, she asks Aibileen not to use inside bathroom in the house. Aibileen feels uncomfortable with that but she keeps obeying her mistress by saying Yes ma’am.

Furthermore, it is depicted in the novel that Aibileen cannot express what she wants to say because she holds back her emotion inside. When Miss Leefolt hits her daughter, Aibileen cannot show her anger to Miss Leefolt. Her emotion is repressed, just like what Orientalism said that Orient has difficulties in expressing themselves, therefore it is Western‘s job to represent Other. The condition where mistress dominates maid, makes Aibileen has difficulties in expressing her emotion. b. Civilized and Uncivilized

As the figure of White mistress, Miss Leefolt sees herself and her friends as civilized group of people. Through the characterization of Miss Leefolt, it presents that Miss Leefolt has high social status and she is noble. Miss Leefolt behaves with a good manner and her appearance is neat, fancy and proper. Moreover, Miss Leefolt is perfectionist. She does not want others recognize her flaws, as a result she tries as best as she can to give her nice impression to the other people. As what Orientalism

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says, White is culturally marked as a refined and good folk. A part of the novel shows that White people should behave in a good manner. Miss Frederick, a mother of Miss

Leefolt, teaches Mae Mobley to answer her questions politely. When Miss Frederick asks Mae Mobley whether she likes the dress or not, Mae Mobley answers it Yeah.

Miss Frederick cannot accept that, she tells Mae Mobley to answer it with Yes ma’am. From generation to generation, White people want others to be respectful to them. They teach their kids to behave well to others. In that part, Miss Frederick

(Miss Leefolt‘s mother) teaches Mae Mobley to be careful on what she says, she wants her granddaughter to respond her questions politely. As what is being said in

Orientalism, European is portrayed as having virtuous qualities.

Different from the White, Black is seen as uncivilized rather than having noble qualities. In the last part of the novel, Aibileen is accused to steal silver from

Miss Hilly, a friend of Miss Leefolt. As it is stated by theory of Orientalism, people other than Europeans or it is called as Oriental are described as opposing the clarity, directness and nobility. (Said, 1991, p. 50). Black is culturally marked as barbaric and savage because they cannot behave in a good manner. Therefore, in this part of the novel Miss Hilly, a friend of Miss Leefolt, assumes that Aibileen has been stealing her silver. Although they have no enough proof for that, they keep blaming Aibileen. c. Normal and Exotic

Between the characterizations of Aibileen and Miss Leefolt, skin color becomes one of differences that is obviously seen. Skin color of Aibileen and Miss

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Leefolt creates kind of racial discrimination between two groups. According to the

White society, White describe themselves as the basic of civilization. In addition,

White people become the standard about how it is to be normal since they portray good personalities. At this point, Miss Leefolt represents the quality of normal based on the White perspective. In contrast, Aibileen is described as exotic for having dark skinned color. Based on the characterizations, Black maid is presented as exotic or different because of their skin color. There is an assumption constructed in the society which says that if someone is Black then they must be bad and dirty. Furthermore, there is also a kind of assumption which states that being Black means someone carries a certain diseased. Therefore, White people should stay away from that. As a result of this situation, segregation happens in the society including public transportations, schools and bathrooms. ―But Aibileen— colored people and white people are just so. . . different.‖ (Stockett, 2009, p. 255). From the conversation between Aibileen and Miss Leefolt‘s friend named Hilly, it shows that White people emphasize that Black and White people are different. Stated also from Orientalism,

Europeans have become the very basis of civilization because they rule over the land and represent others (Said, 1991, p. 46). Based on Orientalism, White is reffered to be normal as they are the representation of standard what it is to be ―normal‖ from their civilization, manner and social status. Meanwhile, Black people who present bad, dirty and diseased appear to be ―exotic‖.

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B. Deconstruction to Binary Oppositions Constructed through the

Characterizations of Black Maid and White Mistress

After discussing charactersitics and binary oppositions identified in the novel, the researcher has the examination on how deconstruction perspective breaks the constructed binary opposition between Black maid Aibileen and White mistress Miss

Leefolt. To have a better analysis about deconstruction to binary opposition, the first thing that researcher has to do is understanding how deconstruction works. Based on deconstruction point of view, text is having more than one ultimate meaning.

Therefore, with the idea of deconstruction it tries to see text in order to reveal hidden meaning by questioning the presence of any objective content inside the text. By means, the thing that the researcher criticizes is about how binary opposition has constructed a kind of stereotype between Black and White. In this part, the researcher clarifies constructed binary opposition by seeing the text in a different perspective.

1. Superior and Inferior

In the previous discussion, character Aibileen is referred as the oppressed.

This is because in most of the times she keeps doing what her mistress said although she does not really like it. Furthermore, different occupation between mistress and maid has created sort of different authority between the two characters. Miss Leefolt as the White mistress has more power and authority, meanwhile Aibileen as the Black maid must obey her order and she has no enough choices to refuse her mistress.

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It turns out that after having the examination, the researcher finds out actually

Aibileen the Black maid has significant role in the novel rather than the White mistress. As it is mentioned by Edward in Orientalism theory, Western has the authority to settle, teach and rule over the Orient. Whereas, in this novel, Black maid has the important role to raise and teach the White kids. It is Black maid‘s job to raise

White kids with good example and good manner. It is stated by Miss Fredericks

(Miss Leefolt‘s mother) in conversation between her and Miss Leefolt.

They head out the door with Miss Fredericks pinching the back a Miss Leefolt‘s arm. ―You don‘t know how to hire proper help, Elizabeth. It is her job to make sure Mae Mobley has good manners.‖ (Stockett, 2009, p. 274) From statement above, it emphasizes that White children are raised by their maid instead of their biological White mother. It breaks the Orientalism theory which says that Western has rights to settle, teach and rule over the Other. In some parts of the novel, Aibileen and any other maid have raised and educated White children since they were kids. It can be said, the Black maids are also superior because they are the ones who teach White children.

―This is not your bathroom!—I did not raise you to use the colored bathroom!‖ I hear her hiss-whispering, thinking I can‘t hear, and I think, Lady you didn’t raise your child at all. (Stockett, 2009, p. 130) This conversation happens between Miss Leefolt and Mae Mobley when she gets angry because Mae Mobley uses colored bathroom for Aibileen. This happens for a reason because Aibileen has no other place to give Mae Mobley example except her own colored bathroom. When Miss Leefolt figures it out she is mad, she thinks that

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she has raised her children not to use colored bathroom. In fact, she is never doing that. It is Aibileen who teaches little girl and raised her.

In addition, figure of Black maid in the novel is also superior because they can educate White kids to see a difference between Black and White to be something they need to understand. It is not a racial discrimination based on skin color but they clarify whether they are Black or White, both of them are still human being and they are equal.

―Come on, Aibee. Time for my secret story.— tell me, tell me bout the brown wrapping. And the present.‖—That‘s her favorite story cause when I tell it, she get two presents.—She take it real serious, the unwrapping, letting me tell the story bout how it ain‘t the color a the wrapping that count, it‘s what we is inside. (Stockett, 2009, p. 407) Aibileen is good at raising children and somehow it is an advantage for her because while she raises them, Aibileen can give them a lesson to value colored folk just as equal as the White. Through her education and her affection, she shows that Black is not as bad as White society think they are. In this case, Black maid has more power to raise children and determine what White children would be in the future. In addition,

Black maid also has advantages because they can clarify things to White children when White people tell something bad about colored people. The same things also happens to Aibileen,

―Miss Taylor says kids that are colored can‘t go to my school cause they‘re not smart enough.‖—―You think I‘m dumb?‖ ―No,‖ she whispers hard, like she means it so much, she look sorry she said it. ―What thet tell you about Miss Taylor, then?‖—―Means Miss Taylor ain‘t right all the time,‖ I say. She

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hug me around my neck, say, ―You‘re righter than Miss Taylor.‖ I tear up then. (Stockett, 2009, pp. 538-539) From the conversation between Aibileen and Little Girl Mae Mobley, Aibileen gives her clarification on how White people see colored. White assumes that colored is dumb, but in this case Aibileen tries to give understanding that what White folk say is not right all the time. From Mae Mobley‘s point of view who is still innocent, she comes up to the point Aibileen is not dumb.

Through the discussion above, the researcher finds out that Black maid has a significant role as superior to the life of White. It is Black maid‘s job to teach, raise and educate White children so that they have a good manner. It is contradictory, while White folk assume they are dumb but White families give Black maid responsibility to raise their children. In the process of raising children, Black maid educates them how Black and White should be treated equally and they clarify how colored folk is not as what the White societies mark them with negative values.

2. Civilized and Uncivilized

In character‘s analysis in the previous chapter, White is often seen as civilized folk in society. They see themelves as high social status so that they need to be respected. Meanwhile, White society sees colored people as barbaric. They do not know how to behave and their behaviour is like animal. While the constructed binary opposition says White is noble and Black is barbaric, the researcher finds out that actually binary opposition does not really portray that.

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Aibileen is a generous woman, she is warm to everyone especially children.

She cares with others and always has a good feeling toward others. Aibileen is a kind of woman with big heart. She writes down her prayer in her book and she prays not only for herself but also for others.

I got my prayer book out so I can write some things down. I concentrate on Mae Mobley, try to keep my mind off Miss hilly. Show me how to teach Baby Girl to be kind, to love herself; to love others, while I got time with her. . .(Stockett, 2009, p. 265) From Aibileen‘s prayer, she asks God to keep up with Mae Mobley. Mae Mobley is not her daughter, she is just a daughter of her mistress but Aibileen loves her a lot.

She wants Mae Mobley to love herself and others. Besides that, Aibileen is portrayed as the figure of mother who gives abundance of affection to the children. She knows how to comfort children and she always uses positive words when speak to them.

―I don‘t feel good. My froat hurts, Aibee.‖ I know what a foat is and I know how to fix it. Baby Girl getting a summer cold.—Ever afternoon, me and Baby Girl set in the rocking chair before her nap. Ever afternoon, I tell her: You kind, you smart, you important.” (Stockett, The Help, 2009, p. 274) It seems contrary with the concept Self and Other in Orientalism. That colored is described as the barbaric and bad but in the novel it shows they are not like that. In contrast, they are well-mannered rather than the White.

Besides being good with children, Aibileen is a kind of person who wants to help someone if she can do it.

—they‘s a knock on the back door. I open it to see one a the workmen standing there. He real old.Got coveralls on over a white collar shirt. ―Hide, ma‘am.

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Trouble you for some water?‖ he ask. I don‘t recognize him. Must live somewhere south a town. ―Shonuff,‖ I say. I go get a paper cup from the cupboard. (Stockett, 2009, p. 26) From the quotation shows that Aibileen wants to help people. She does not know who the old man is but when the old man asks for a drink, Aibileen does not reject him.

Meanwhile, when general assumption states that White is civilized, the novel does not really present that. Miss Leefolt is a wealthy White woman. She joins Bridge

Club that consists of some high social status women. Miss Leefolt is wealthy rather than the Black but it does not guarantee that she has more civilized manner than the others. In the first chapter of the novel, it shows that Miss Leefolt is mean towards her own kid. She is a mother but she barely gives her attention to Mae Mobley. When

Mae Mobley seeks her mama‘s attention, Miss Leefolt ignores her and she tends to talk with her friend on telephone.

She keep craning her neck around, whining, ―Mama, Mama,” trying to get her attention.— She run straight to her mama and stick out her chin and jerk the phone cord as hard she can.—Miss Leefolt slap Baby Girl on the back a her bare legs so hard. (Stockett, 2009, pp. 24-25) Miss Leefolt‘s rude behaviour towards her daughter does not only appear at once. It happens several times when Mae Mobley does something wrong. It is pictured in the novel that separated bathroom for colored and White becomes pro and contra issue happening at that time. Including Miss Leefolt, she also makes new bathroom for

Aibileen so there will be a different bathroom between colored and White in her house. The problem starts when her baby Mae Mobley uses Aibileen‘s bathroom.

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When Miss Leefolt finds out her daughter using colored bathroom, she is totally mad and she spanks her daughter because of that.

―This is not your bathroom.‖ Baby Girl wagging her head.―My bafroom!” Miss Leefolt snatch her up, give her a pop on the leg. (Stockett, 2009, p. 130) By looking at two quotations above, Miss Leefolt is a kind of aggressive and abusive mother. She raises children with punishment if her daughter did something wrong. In this part, Miss Leefolt uses physical violence to tell Mae Mobley that actually what her daughter‘s doing is not right. It breaks the statement which says White is noble and civilized.

As a result of rude and aggressive behaviour from Miss Leefolt to Mae

Mobley, her daughter is scared of her mother. She prefers to be taken care by

Aibileen rather than her own mother. As Aibileen raises Mae Mobley with generosity and compassion, Mae Mobley thinks she is her mother. There is a part of the novel showing how Mae Mobley calls Aibileen mama.

Then she say, ―Aibee, you‘re my real mama.‖ She don‘t even look at me.— ―Your mama‘s off getting her hair fixed. Baby Girl, you know who your mama is.‖ But she shake her head, cuddling that doll to her ― I‘m your baby,— Shh! Don‘t tell!‖ she say. ―She‘ll spank me.‖ (Stockett, 2009, pp. 392,394) Based on what Mae Mobley‘s words, she thinks that her real mother is Aibileen. This happens for a reason, because Mae Mobley is loved, taken care of and accepted by the helper instead of her mother who often spanks her. Based on this statement from

Mae Mobley, constructed value which is noble attached to White and barbaric

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attached to Black is turned around. Mae Mobley, a daughter of White family, thinks her mother is Black maid because she finds a figure of mother who is generous, loving and compassionate in Aibileen. Meanwhile, for Mae Mobley, Miss Leefolt is a figure of terrifying person who will hit her if she does not obey her mother.

Apparently, terms of noble and barbaric is reversed. The one who has noble, kind and generous heart is the Black maid Aibileen. Then, Miss Leefolt turns out to be aggressive and rude mother.

3. Normal and Exotic

Based on general assumption, White is often described as refine folk. They come from a wealthy class, they are civilized and educated. That makes them to be normal for having those qualities. In contrast, colored people are attached to the other side. White people see Black people as dirty folk. They are poor and they come from low social status. In addition, the previous chapter shows that Whites think colored carry a certain disease because they are black. There is a tendency in the society, where being Black means they are exotic because they are dirty and diseased. Unlike from the Blacks, White people attach to positive things for being normal. At this part, the researcher invites the readers to see beyond what it has been said.

From the previous discussion it is stated that, White people including Miss

Leefolt represent what it is to be normal because they are the very basis of civilization. At the time when it is Miss Leefolt‘s turn to become a host in Bridge

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Club meeting, she tries as best as she can to give impression by giving good and fancy things for her ladies. She wants to give her best image in front of other ladies therefore she tries to look perfect and neat by covering the scratch and crack on her table.

I arrange the-this and the-that for her lady and friends. Set out the good crystal, put the silver service out.—Put a cloth on top to cover big L-shaped crack, move that red flowers centerpiece to the sideboard to hide where the wood all scratched.—They ain‘t rich folk, that I know. Rich folk don‘t try so hard. (Stockett, 2009, pp. 4-5)

The quotation above shows how Aibileen sees White folk especially about her mistress. The way she represents herself in front of others is a little bit exaggerating since she wants to show her qualities that she comes from a refine folk. Therefore,

Miss Leefolt tries very hard to cover crack or scratch on her properties. For Miss

Leefolt the important thing is her prestige among others. She does not want to be

―less‖ in front of others. The qualities such as noble, wealthy and rich are values she seeks for. Hence, if people find out flaw on her, definitely she will be insecure for that. In other way, after analysing the text deeper, the researcher finds out that Miss

Leefolt is seen to be normal because she carries good value based on her manner and social status. It turns out that actually Miss Leefolt is obsessive. She wants to be seen as a noble rich woman to get approval from her friends. Instead, she might not be as noble as what the people think.

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Qualities of Aibileen which show colored people are dirty is also questionable. White society thinks colored people carry disease and they are dirty just because of their skin colour which is black. With deconstructive perspective, the researcher finds out that Aibileen is just being the way she is. She does not hide or cover her flaw and she is not obsessive to show others she is good or fine folk. For her, the most important things that matters is what comes from the inside. It is not what people can see on the surface such as appearance or wealth.

―Come on Aibee,‖ Mae Mobley, —Time for my secret story.‖—She take it real serious, the unwrapping, letting me tell the story bout how it ain‘t the colora the wrapping that count, it‘s what inside. (Stockett, 2009, p. 407) According to the passage, Aibileen tells her a story about different colors of wrapping which are white and brown. Both of them filled the same thing but they have different cover. In Aibileen‘s perspective what is superficial is not the one that matters, meanwhile characteristic of a person is the one which determine who they really are.

The term dirty that is attached to colored people do not define who they are. As deconstruction perspective finds out it is not the skin color that determine someone‘s quality. Instead, it is qualities or characteristics within the person.

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION

In this chapter, the researcher concludes the result of the analysis in order to answer the problem formulation. The first problem formulation is what are the binary oppositions of postcolonialism constructed through the characterizations of the Black maid Aibileen and the White mistress Miss Leefolt. Then the second problem formulation is how the qualities of each character break the constructed binary opposition of postcolonialism in the novel.

Based on the previous part of the discussion, characteristics of White mistress

Miss Leefolt and Black maid Aibileen are attached to certain values. From the characterizations, Miss Leefolt is described as dominant, wealthy, polite, uncaring, rude and perfectionist. In the other side, Black maid Aibileen is portrayed as oppressed, poor, lack of education, impolite, nasty and generous. After the researcher finds out the personality traits of each character, some constructed binary oppositions are found out. The first finding in the research results that constructed binary oppositions are: 1) superior and inferior; 2) civilized and uncivilized; 3) normal and exotic.

The first binary opposition is superior and inferior. At this part, the relation of position between Black maid and White mistress has created domination from White people toward others. Aibileen is oppressed because White folk feel they have right

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and authority to control the others. As a result, Black maid tends to follow what her mistress says. Moreover, Aibileen is oppressed because she cannot represent her emotion and her mind. The domination of White mistress has made Aibileen to hold back her emotion. The second binary opposition between Aibileen and Miss Leefolt is civilized and uncivilized. White mistress is described as noble and refine folk.

Meanwhile, Black maid is portrayed differently. In the novel, Black maid is described as thief because she is accused for stealing silvers from the white families. Besides that, Black maid is seen as uncivilized because she does not know how to behave in a proper way. Then, the last binary opposition is the relation between normal and exotic. Miss Leefolt is presented as normal because she represents the basic civilization. In contrast, Aibileen is presented as exotic because of her dark-skinned color that represents they are dirty, diseased and different from the others.

The second finding in this research results the other point. By using deconstruction perspective, it turns out that binary oppositions of postcolonialism are not true. Based on further analysis, deconstruction perspective sees the hidden meanings in the text. Firstly, the concept where Whites are superior and Blacks are inferior is deconstructed. According to the analyses, Black maid has a significant role to raise and educate the White children. The general assumption says that Whites have the authority to settle, teach and rule over the others. Meanwhile, the one who raises White generations is the Black people itself. Secondly, the concept where

White is civilized and Black is uncivilized is deconstructed. From the further

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analysis, Whites do not represent a civilized person. In the novel, it shows that Miss

Leefolt is aggressive and she tends to treat her daughter meanly. Based on the analyses, Miss Leefolt cannot control her behaviour and emotion. As a result it makes her daughter is scared of her. In contrast, Aibileen is found to be a generous and compassionate person as she uses nice words and treats others with her heart.

Moreover, the fact that Mae Mobley calls Aibileen mama shows that Black maid has represented the figure of civilized mother rather than the White mistress. In addition,

Aibileen knows how to treat others with good manner and she knows how to control her emotion. Lastly, binary opposition about normal and exotic is also deconstructed.

The researcher finds out that there is a tendency where qualities of person are determined by their skin color. Black refers to be exotic for being dark-skinned color, diseased and dirty. Then, White refers to be normal because they represent good values. At this point, deconstruction perspective breaks that kind of assumption. A close research towards the characteristics of Black maid and White mistress shows that actually qualities of person are determined by what comes from the inside and it is not based on their skin color.

Binary oppositions between Black and White are constructed from the history.

Each generation starts to believe the assumptions where Black is not as good as

White. In fact, this study proves that binary oppositions given to Aibileen and Miss

Leefolt do not really portray who they really are.

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REFERENCES

Abrams, M. H. (1981). A Glossary of Literary Terms. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, & Helen Tiffin. (2007). Post-Colonial Studies The Key Concepts Second Edition. New York: Routledge.

Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, & Helen Tiffin. (2002). The Empire Writes Back Theory and Practice in Postcolonial Literature 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.

Barry, Peter. (2009). The Beginning Theory an Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory Third Edition. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Bertens, Hans. (2001). Literary Theory the Basics. London: Routledge.

Boehmer, Elleke. (2005). Colonial and Postcolonial Literature Migrant Metaphors Second Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Crima, Dearty & Fajar Sasmita. (2014). Superiority of the Native Seen in the Tone of the Track to Bralgu by Bozic Wongar. Journal of Language and Literature, 14(1), 61-68.

Gill, Richard. (1995). Mastering English Literature (2nd Edition). London: Macmillan Press.

Guerin, Wilfred, Earle Labor, & Lee Morgan (2005). A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature 5th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press.

Gusmanthi, R.N. (2017). The Meanings of Racism Issues Faced by The Three Main Characters of Kathryn Stockett’s The Help (Undergraduate Thesis). Universitas Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta.

Hasday, J.L. (2007). The Civil Rights Act of 1964 an End to Racial Discrimination. New York: Chelsea House Publisher.

Johnson, Barbara. (1985). The Critical Difference: Essays in the Contemporary Rhetoric of Reading . Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

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Marinaro, Francesca. (2007). Binary Opposition in Literature : Definition & Examples. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/binary- oppositions-in-literature-list-of-examples.html

Murphy, M.J. (1972). Understanding Unseens : An Introduction to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.

Pope, Rob. (2005). The English Studies Book: An Introduction to English Language, Literature and Culture Second Edition. New York: Routledge.

Putnam, Adult. (2009). Author Talk: February 13, 2009. Retrieved from https://www.bookreporter.com/authors/kathryn-stockett/news/talk-021309.

Putra, R.K. (2016). A Deconstruction on Binary Opposition of the Male and Female Characters in Susan Glaspell's Trifles (Undergraduate Thesis). Universitas Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta.

Said, Edward. (1991). Orientalism. London: Penguin Group.

Saidi, A.A. (2014). Post-colonialism Literature the Concept of Self and the Other in Coetzee's Waiting for the Barbarians: An Analytical Approach. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 5(1), 95-105.

Sawant, D.G. (2015, February 1). Perspectives on Post-colonial Theory: Said, Spivak and Bhabha. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271633479_Perspectives_on_Post- colonial_Theory_Said_Spivak_and_Bhabha

Stockett, Kathryn. (2009). The Help. New York: Penguin Group Inc.

Waugh, Patricia. (2006). Literary Theory and Criticism an Oxford Guide. New York: Oxford University Press.

Willette, Jeane. (2013, September 6). Art History Unstuffed Post Colonial Theory Edward Said. Retrieved from https://arthistoryunstuffed.com/post-colonial- theory-edward-said/

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APPENDICES

Appendix 1: The Summary of Kathryn Stockett’s The Help

Published in 2009, The Help tells a story about how the Black maid works for

White families. At that time, there is segregation between Black and White people.

As Black people are seen as bad, dirty and diseased therefore White people bulid separated bathrooms, public transportations and schools based on skin color.

Aibileen is one of the maids who shares her experience about how it feels to be Black and how it feels working to the White family. Aibileen works for White families a long time ago. She raises many White children and takes care of the household stuffs. Now, she works for Miss Leefolt, a mother of Mae Mobley and

Ross. During her work, Aibileen often gets unequal treatment from Miss Leefolt.

Miss Leefolt often gives order to Aibileen and treats Aibileen as if she carries a certain disease because of her skin color. Eventhough her mistress often treats them meanly, Aibileen always follows her orders and keeps her emotion inside. Until one day Miss Skeeter Phelan, one of the members of Bridge Club, offers Aibileen to change a thing by doing a writing project about the Black maids‘ experience work for

White family. After having a consideration, Aibileen, Minny and other Black maids write down their stories into a book. They do it secretly and White mistresses do not know about it. After the stories have been collected, the book which entitled ―The

Help‖ is published. In the end of the story, some White mistresses figure out that the

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Black maid put their stories about how White mistress treats them. Including Miss

Leefolt as well, her friend called Hilly Holbrook tells her that Aibileen writes stories about her. This book which based on the experience of Black people becomes controversial. Many people talk about this book. Although Aibileen has to lose her job as a maid, finally she can reveal the truth. Moreover, a company offers Aibileen a job as a writer and she accepts that. Aibileen no longer keeps what is in her mind inside. After all the times, she can speak out her words and tell to others what it is like to be Black.

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Appendix 2: Kathryn Stockett’s Short Biography (Taken from Interview by

Putnam Adult, Penguin Group 23/12/2009)

Kathryn Stockett is a writer who grew up in South America, Mississipi.

During her childhood, Stockett assumed that every White family always had a Black woman to take care of the White kids and clean the house. Young Stockett thought that was the common relation between Black and White in America. Moving back to

New York made her realized that her ―normal‖ thought in Southern America was not as same as the others. Some years later, Stockett decided to write a book about the relationship African and American taken around 1960‘s. She made the book based on her childhood where she found many Black women were treated differently in the

Southern. To support the novel, Stockett interviewed both Africans-Americans and

Whites to enrich her work.

When Stockett was a child, her family hired a Black woman called Demetrie to work in the family. Stockett was so close to Demetrie. Demetrie became more important for Stockett when her parents divorced. She felt so much love when she was taken care by Demetrie. For Stockett, Demetrie was a figure of warm hearted woman who always comforted her by saying, ―You are beautiful. You a beautiful girl,‖ when she assumed she was not. Demetrie had no child and her husband was abusive but she still took care of other people. Demetrie‘s gentleness and love made

Stockett adored of her.

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Demetrie died when Stockett was only sixteen. She had never a chance to ask

Demetrie what it felt to be black in Mississippi, working for her family. The memories about Demetrie had encouraged her to write a book. Stockett wrote The

Help as a fiction story to portray the life of Black women worked for the White families. In the interview, she said that actually she was a little bit worried for representing the voice of Black American women in her novel. Regarding the line between Black and White which should not be crossed, Kathryn Stockett brings that line into the surface.